MLB Player News

Alvarez was designated for assignment Friday, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

Alvarez was removed from the 40-man roster after the Phillies selected the contract of Pedro Florimon. The 23-year-old Alvarez reached the Double-A level last year, hitting an unspectacular .247/.321/.382 in 209 plate appearances.

Rosario went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

His fourth-inning two-bagger was the only hit the Mets scrounged up against a dominant Max Scherzer, while Rosario's deep shot to left field in the eighth was his first homer of the spring. Injuries have cost the 22-year-old some time this spring, but he appears to be rounding into form well ahead of Opening Day.

Young was moved from the Cubs' spring training to minor-league camp Tuesday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Young's bat was silent this spring, as he went 4-for-29 (.138) over 16 games. Due to Chicago's astounding depth around the infield, Young's chances of reaching the majors this season are slim. He'll likely report to Triple-A Iowa, where he hit .256/.311/.311 over 120 games last season.

Torres was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

With the recent signing of Neil Walker to play second base, this isn't all too surprising. Torres, the team's top prospect, is still viewed as a vital part of the Yankees' infield moving forward, but he'll now have some more time in the minors to smooth out any kinks (he was just 4-for-25 in Grapefruit League play prior to being optioned). It's still possible he could join the big club relatively early on if the Yankees feel he's ready.

The Angels reassigned Jones to their minor-league camp Saturday.

The toolsy Jones had earned an invite to his first big-league spring training after breaking out last season with a .282/.348/.446 line, 14 home runs and 27 steals across stops at Low-A Burlington and High-A Inland Empire. Look for the 20-year-old to open the 2018 campaign at the latter destination, with a promotion to Double-A Mobile likely in store for him by midseason if he's able to pick up where he left off in 2017.

Fontana hasn't participated in any Cactus League games since Feb. 27 while dealing with right shoulder inflammation, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The Angels are hopeful that Fontana will resume throwing soon, but it may be too late for the 26-year-old to make a run at a bench role on the Opening Day roster. At this stage in camp, Luis Valbuena and Kaleb Cowart look like the frontrunners to claim reserve gigs in the infield.

Herrera (shoulder) cleared waivers Tuesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

The 24-year-old had been limited to DH duty lately due to a shoulder injury, and it seems that took him out of the running for a big-league roster spot. Rather than beginning the season in Cincinnati on the disabled list, Herrera will likely report to Louisville to get regular playing time once his shoulder is fully healed. He does have two-plus years of experience at Triple-A, but a relatively crowded infield could keep him in the minors for a while.

Urias was re-assigned to minor-league camp on Tuesday.

This comes as no surprise, as Urias only has 15 plate appearances under his belt at Triple-A. He hit .286/.394/.464 with a 6:5 K:BB in 28 spring at-bats, more than holding his own as a 20-year-old in big-league camp. True to form, he didn't hit a home run or steal a base. The 5-foot-9 second baseman has one of the best hit tools in the minors and should make his big-league debut this summer.

Barreto went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Monday's 6-5 Cactus League loss to the Giants.

Barreto's torrid spring continues, as he's now hitting .300 with six extra-base hits (one double, two triples, three homers) and seven RBI in 34 plate appearances across 12 games. The 22-year-old is making a strong case for being ready for a regular role, but there is not currently a starting spot open in the A's infield.

Lopez was sent to minor-league camp Monday, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic Kansas City reports.

Lopez went 3-for-17 with two RBI and one walk through nine spring training games. Expect the 22-year-old shortstop to begin his season with Double-A Northwest Arkansas.